Training apparatus.



. Patented luly 8, |902. J. MCMASTER.

TRAINING APPARATUS.

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@N3/wwwa@ UNT-rnc STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN MCMASTER, OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO A. G. SPALDING d: BROS., OF JERSEY CITY, NEIV JERSEY, AND NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

TRAlNlNG PPARATU S.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 704,265, dated July 8, 1902. Application led April 29, 1902. Serial No. 105,164. (No model.)

To L7/Z whom, it may concern:

Beit known that I, JOHN MoMAsTEP., a citizen of the United States, residing in Cambridge, county of Suolk, State of Massachusetts,have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Training Apparatus, of which y the following is a specification, reference bei ing had to the accompanying drawings, form- 2 end it carries a cross-head Zto receive and ing a part hereof.

This invention relates particularly to apparatus for the training of foot-ball players in what is known as tackling, and has for its object to produce an apparatus in which a dummy figure shall closely simulate the movements and the actions of a foot-ball player when tackled, thereby developing the skill of the tackling player under conditions closely resembling those of actual practice. In accordance with the invention the dummy iigure is so supported that when it is properly tackled by a player it will be released and will fall with the tackling player substantially in the same manner as an opponent when properly tackled.

The invention will be more fully described hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which it is illustrated and in which- Figure l is a general view representing a dummy iigure suspended from a suitable support. Figs. 2 and 3 are views in elevation, from points at right angles, of the device by which the dummy figure is suspendedfrom its support. Fig. 4g is an end view or" the same as seen from the lower end, the hook being partly broken away and also shown in a different position by dotted lines.

The dummy gure, which may be made in any convenient manner, is indicated at CZ and is shown as suspended from a trolley Z1, which is adapted to travel on a horizontal bar c, supported by suitable standards CZ. Ropes (represented by dotted lines at c) are connectedto the trolley b and are led over suitable guides f, so that the dummy iigure may be drawn rapidly from side to side to simulate the movements of a running player. From the trolley Z) depends a rope g` of such length as to support the dummy gure at the proper height, the rope g being connected to the dummy figure by a device which will yield when the dummy gure is properly tackled and release the dummy igure, permitting it to be thrown violently to the ground. This device may be conveniently constructed as represented in Figs. 2, 3, and et, in which is shown a rod h, having an eye 7c, by which it may be secured to the rope g. At its lower guide in their movement rods m, which may be the two parts of a single rod bent to form a yoke. The upper ends of the rods 'm support adjustably a cross head n, arranged to slide on the rod Zt, and a stii coiled spring 0 is interposed between the two crossheads Z and n to sustain the rods m normally in their highest position. A hook or latch p iscarried by the rods m, being conveniently hung upon the loop at the bottom, as

clearly shown in the drawings. This latch normally engages the cross-head Z, in which maybe formed an lla-shaped notch q, into which the tongue ot the latch p may be introduced easily, as represented-in Figs. 2, 3, and 4. The dummy iigure may be conveniently secured to the releasing device by a ring or loop attached to its head and engaged directly with the latch p'.

It will now be apparent that when the dummy gure is properly tackled and the Weight of the player is thrown suddenly upon the dummy figure the spring o will be compressed between the cross-heads Z and n, permitting the rods m to move downward far enough to release the latch c from the cross-head Z, thereby releasing the dummy iigure and permitting it to be thrown violently to the ground.

It will be evident that the construction of the releasing device may be varied from that shown and described herein without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim as my inventioni l. A training apparatus for foot-ball players, comprising a dummy figure, a support therefor, and a releasing device interposed between the dummy ligure and its support, whereby the dummy ligure is released fromy its support when properly tackled, substantially as described.

2. A training apparatus for foot-ball play- IOO ers, comprising a dummy ligure, a support therefor, and a releasing device interposed between the dummy figure and its support, said releasing device comprising a spring and a latch engaged by the dummy gure and held normally in its closed position by said spring, substantially as described.

3. A training apparatus for foot-ball players, comprising a dummy igure, a support 1o therefor, and a releasing device interposed between the dummy figure and its support, said releasing device comprising a rod secured 

